Pennsylvania Fishing License: Requirements, Cost, and Age Limits (2026)

A valid Pennsylvania fishing license is required from age 16. The angler must be able to provide the license in print or on a digital device when an officer requests it.

The 2026 resident annual fishing license costs $27.97.

The 2026 nonresident annual fishing license costs $60.97.

The 2026 senior resident annual fishing license costs $14.47.

The senior resident lifetime fishing license costs $86.97.

The resident one-day license costs $14.47 and is not valid from March 15 through April 30.

The 2026 nonresident Pennsylvania student annual license costs $27.97.

The one-day tourist license costs $31.97 and includes both Trout and Lake Erie permits. It is not valid from March 15 through April 30. This bundled coverage is unique to the one-day tourist product.

The three-day tourist license costs $31.97. Unlike the one-day tourist license, it does not bundle Trout or Lake Erie permits; buy the applicable permit separately.

The seven-day tourist license costs $39.47. It does not bundle Trout or Lake Erie permits; buy the applicable permit separately.

Anglers younger than 16 do not need a Pennsylvania fishing license. Special youth opportunities may require the optional youth license or free mentored-youth permit.

The optional 2026 Voluntary Youth Fishing License costs $2.97.

The Mentored Youth Permit is free for anglers younger than 16.

A Pennsylvania resident veteran with a VA-certified service-connected disability rating of 60% through 99% may receive the $2.97 reduced-fee license. Initial eligibility must be established at a county treasurer or PFBC office; later annual licenses may be obtained online or from an agent.

A Pennsylvania resident veteran with a VA-certified 100% service-connected disability may qualify for a free license. Initial issuance is through a county treasurer or PFBC office, not a standard retailer or online sale.

The 2026 resident annual prisoner-of-war license costs $2.97. Initial issuance must occur through a county treasurer or PFBC office.

A base license alone does not cover trout fishing or fishing in Lake Erie, Presque Isle Bay, and covered tributary waters. Add the Trout Permit, Lake Erie Permit, or Combination Trout/Lake Erie Permit unless the license product expressly includes them.

The 2026 Trout Permit costs $14.97 in addition to the base license.

The 2026 Lake Erie Permit costs $9.97 in addition to the base license and covers the PFBC-listed Lake Erie, Presque Isle Bay, and tributary waters.

The Senior Lifetime Lake Erie Permit costs $9.97.

The 2026 Combination Trout/Lake Erie Permit costs $20.97 and adds both privileges to a base license.

Pennsylvania's 2026 Fish-for-Free Days are Sunday, May 24, and Saturday, July 4. Residents and nonresidents may fish without a license or fishing permit, but size, creel, and other fishing regulations still apply.

A 2026 license bought when sales open is valid immediately from December 1, 2025 through December 31, 2026—up to 13 months. Buying later shortens the usable period; it still expires December 31, 2026.

Three-year prices are $79.97 resident, $178.97 nonresident, $39.47 senior, $40.97 Trout, $25.97 Lake Erie, and $58.97 Combination. Five-year prices are $131.97 resident, $296.97 nonresident, $64.47 senior, $66.97 Trout, $41.97 Lake Erie, and $96.97 Combination. Ten-year prices are $261.97 resident, $591.97 nonresident, $131.97 Trout, $81.97 Lake Erie, and $191.97 Combination; PFBC does not list a ten-year senior product. Each price includes one $1 issuing-agent fee and one $0.97 transaction fee.

PFBC approved fee adjustments in May 2023 for the 2024 license year, including increases to the resident annual license, Trout Permit, and Combination Trout/Lake Erie Permit when 2024 products went on sale. Older pages can therefore show prices that are no longer current.

The military waiver applies only when the angler is a bona fide Pennsylvania resident, is on active duty, is stationed outside Pennsylvania, and is back in Pennsylvania on authorized leave.

Pennsylvania fishing licenses are administered by the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission, not a department of natural resources.